By: Rico Franco
Popular American comedian James Belushi once said, “Heroes aren’t born; they’re cornered.” For many, including Kaina Garba, that corner comes in the form of watching others fall victim to injustice and feeling compelled to act.
As the digital space continues to expand in Nigeria and around the world, so too have the risks. Online fraud, financial scams, and other forms of digital deception have become increasingly prevalent due to the anonymity and reach that the internet offers. For Kaina Garba, the fight against these crimes is not just professional — it’s personal.
Garba serves as Head of the Advance Fee Fraud Section, Lagos 1 Directorate, and also as Head of Operation Eagle Flush at Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he leads some of the country’s most significant efforts against internet-related crimes. His leadership gained national recognition when he coordinated one of Nigeria’s largest operations targeting online criminal networks. The operation resulted in numerous arrests, including foreign nationals, and helped prevent substantial financial losses.
“The internet has no borders, but neither does justice,” Garba says. “The challenge is staying one step ahead in a space that changes daily.”
From Enforcer to Researcher
Garba’s path to this work began in academic research. A notable study he co-authored in 2024 analyzed cases of online financial crime in Nigeria. It revealed emerging patterns in the backgrounds and behaviors of those convicted — insights that were later used to inform how investigators approach digital fraud cases.
Garba explains that many offenders tend to be under 30 and often exploit psychological tactics rather than advanced technical skills. His findings were adopted in EFCC training materials, providing investigators with a more nuanced understanding of how to track digital financial flows and suspicious behavior online.
Operation Eagle Flush: Disrupting Organized Digital Crime
In late 2024, Garba was tasked with leading Operation Eagle Flush, a strategic task force formed in response to rising incidents of online scams in Nigeria. Under his direction, the team uncovered fraudulent companies posing as legitimate businesses, often targeting individuals through false investment platforms and online impersonation.
One such operation revealed how a company had built an extensive infrastructure for digital scams, including routers, SIM cards, and computers used to carry out and coordinate fraud on a broad scale. The evidence pointed to a high level of coordination, with victims located around the world.
Advancing Digital Security
Garba emphasizes that enforcement is just one part of the solution. His team has also worked closely with local institutions to improve security systems and assess digital vulnerabilities before criminals can exploit them.
His background in disaster recovery planning has proven especially valuable. Several banks in Nigeria have since invited Garba’s team to conduct digital risk assessments, helping to strengthen the country’s defenses against cyberattacks.
“It’s not just about arrests,” Garba notes. “It’s about building a system where these crimes are harder to commit in the first place.”
A Broader Mission
The success of Operation Eagle Flush has sparked interest beyond Nigeria. Neighboring countries are looking to adopt some of the EFCC’s investigative techniques, and Garba’s work is increasingly referenced in professional development programs for investigators across West Africa.
For Garba, the goal is clear: reduce harm before it happens.
“Every conviction matters,” he says. “But every prevented crime matters even more.”
